Collar clasp



Nov. 15, 1938.

A. B. MOSER 2,136,802

COLLAR CLASP Filed April 14, 1957 4 I 2 I lo a a 7 INVENTOR:

AURELIUS B. MOSER. BY v ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1938 TUNITED'VSTATES PA O I Aurelius B. Moser, San Francisco, Calif.

Application April 14, 1937, Serial-No. 136,827

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in collar clasps and more particularly to the construction and arrangement of the parts.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a collar clasp which may be easily applied to the collar with one hand, or two hands if so desired.

Anotherobject is to provide means whereby the cravat may be maintained in a central position with respect to the collar.

Another object is to provide such a clasp that is conventional and neat in appearance, simple in construction, and effective for the use intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses.

In this specification and the accompanying drawing the invention is disclosed in its'preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form, because it may be embodied in other forms within the purview of the claims following the description.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a collar clasp constructed in accordance with this invention, and shown in the operative position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same shown in the open or inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in vertical section taken on the lines III-III Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, as in Fig. 1, showing a modification or single clasp.

In detail, the construction illustrated in the drawing, referring first to Fig. 1, comprises the comparatively rigid front bar l having the spring 35 member 2 fixed to the center of the bar by the clip 3 enclosing both, or they may be joined in any other suitable manner. The ends 4, 4 of this spring member, cooperating with the ends 5. 5 of the bar I form jaws at the opposite ends of the clasp. These jaws remain normally set by the tension of the spring member 2.

The off-sets 6, .6 are provided in the spring member on opposite sides of the center clip 3. The lower bends 1, l of these off-sets provide fulcrums for the respective cam levers 8, 8 which normally lie in the position. shown in Fig. 1.

Each lever, as shown in Fig. 3 is provided with the opening 9'in its lower end which clears the cross section of the spring member 2. Their upper portions are provided with a slot H) which clears the cross section of the bar I and permits the radial action of the lever 8 on its fulcrum center at 9; the upper ends of these levers are provided with the grips ll, ll. The distance between the openings 9 and ID in the levers is greater than the distance between the fulcrums 9, 9 and the underside of the bar I, so that the swing of the levers towards the center 3 will wedge the jaws 4 and 5 apart as shown in Fig. 2, for the reception of the collar tabs.

This invention operates substantially as follows: After the wearer has knotted his cravat, he elevates the knot with one hand while grasping the ends II, II of the levers between his thumb and forefinger. Thus pressing these ends toward each other opens both jaws 4, 5-4, 5 as shown in Fig. 2, so that the clasp may be placed beneath the knot of the cravat in such a manner that these jaws'will pass the inner edges of the collar tabs.

When the pressure on the finger grips H, H is slowly released, the jaws 4, 5-4, 5 automatically close under tension of the spring member 2 until they securely clamp the edges of the collar tab. The jaws 4, 4 are shaped as shown so thatthey will engage behind the swell of the stitching at the edge of the collar and hold the clasp in secure position when the levers are released. However, these jaws may be given any desirable shape, or tension, and may be knurled to increase friction.

When the clasp is in position on the collar, the lever ends H, H serve the double purpose of preventingthe cravat from sliding from one side to the other with respect to the center of the collar, thus maintaining a neat appearance of the collar and tie.

One of the advantages of the mechanically opened jaws of this clasp is that it may be moved on the collar tab either up or down or back and forth on the tab before the levers are released.

One of the disadvantages of the spring actuated jaws of the conventional clasp is that in moving them into proper position on the collar tab, they tend to bruise the finish of the collar, often with an untidy result. They, also require both hands to operate.

The modified form shown in Fig. 4 may be used as a single clasp to secure the cravat ends to the shirt front, or for other purposes. The bar and spring member are preferably made from a continuous piece l2' bent back upon itself as at 3 and offset as at I. The lever B is the same as 8, and operates in like manner. It is operated by placing the thumb at 3' and the finger at H and compressing as previously described.

To prevent the levers ID, ID, passing their re spective centers, they abut the ends of the bar I2 fixed under the clip 3.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A clasp comprising a pair of spring closed jaws, one of which has an cifset therein; a cam lever having an opening engaging said offset portion and a slot with an edge engaging said other jaw, whereby said jaws may be pried apart.

2. A clasp comprising a pair of cam levers having openings therethrough respectively; a front bar and a spring member passing through the openings in said levers and fixed together intermediate their lengths and forming clamping jaws at their opposite ends; and a stop bar fixed between said front bar and spring member in operative relation to said clamp levers.

3. A clasp comprising a continuous front bar; a continuous spring member fixed to the central portion of said bar, forming spring closed jaws at the opposite ends of the clasp, said spring member having offset portions on the opposite sides of its center; and a pair of cam levers having openings passing said bar and engaging said 10 oifsets respectively and adapted to pry open said jaws.

AURELIUS B. MOSER. 

